New Delhi, Nov 13: India is accelerating its transition towards clean energy, with non-fossil fuel sources accounting for 55 per cent of the country’s total installed power capacity, as solar, wind, hydropower and emerging green technologies expand their footprint.
Representational Image
The country’s total installed power capacity stood at around 560 GW in October 2026, more than doubling from 249 GW in 2014. Non-fossil fuel-based capacity reached 308 GW as of July 31, 2026, according to the latest figures released by the government.
India currently ranks third globally in renewable energy installed capacity and attracted investments worth USD 63.7 billion in the renewable energy sector between July 2024 and June 2026.
The expansion is being driven by policy initiatives, infrastructure development, domestic manufacturing and efforts to improve access to clean electricity for households and industries.
Renewable energy investment gains momentum
The Bharat Renewable Energy Summit and Expo (BRESE) 2026, held in New Delhi from November 2 to 5, brought together policymakers, investors, manufacturers, industry representatives and technology innovators to explore opportunities in the clean energy sector.
Australia, Denmark, the European Union, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom participated as country partners. Thirteen Indian States and Union Territories, including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, presented their renewable energy potential and investment opportunities.
The event featured more than 400 manufacturers, technology providers, startups and research institutions. Discussions focused on clean energy financing, manufacturing, storage solutions, emerging technologies and skill development.
Solar power leads India’s renewable expansion
Solar energy has emerged as the largest component of India’s renewable energy capacity. Installed solar capacity reached approximately 175 GW as of October 31, 2026, compared with just 2.8 GW in 2014.
India also became the world’s second-largest solar growth market in 2025, adding more than 37 GW of capacity during the year, surpassing the United States, which added 34 GW.
The government is promoting household solar installations through the PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, launched in February 2024 with an outlay of ₹75,021 crore to cover one crore households.
As of November 2, 2026, rooftop solar systems had been installed in 65.26 lakh households, with subsidies amounting to approximately ₹35,800 crore transferred to beneficiaries. Nearly 21 lakh households had received zero electricity bills up to October 2026. The scheme has commissioned a cumulative rooftop solar capacity of 19.1 GW.
The government has also approved the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana on July 31, 2026, with an allocation of ₹5,070 crore to promote floating solar photovoltaic projects integrated with energy storage.
The initiative targets 5,000 MW of floating solar capacity, supported by storage systems with a minimum two-hour duration and a combined capacity of 10,000 MWh. Projects are scheduled to be sanctioned between FY 2026–27 and FY 2030–31.
Wind energy records highest-ever annual addition
Wind power remains another major contributor to India’s clean energy expansion. The country ranks fourth globally in installed wind power capacity, which stood at 59.20 GW as of October 29, 2026.
India added a record 6.05 GW of wind capacity in FY 2025–26, marking a 46 per cent increase over the previous financial year. Around 28 GW of additional capacity is currently under implementation.
Domestic manufacturing has also strengthened, with wind turbine production capacity reaching approximately 24 GW in March 2026, compared with 10 GW in 2014. The sector has achieved 70–80 per cent indigenisation across key components.
To promote offshore wind development, the Union Cabinet approved a viability gap funding scheme worth ₹7,453 crore in June 2024 for projects with a combined capacity of 1 GW.
Bio-energy and waste-to-energy initiatives expand
India is also tapping agricultural residues, organic waste and other biomass resources to diversify its renewable energy sources.
Bio-power capacity stood at 11.75 GW as of October 29, 2026. The country’s compressed biogas (CBG) ecosystem has been expanding, with 839 plants registered as of November 2. Of these, 210 have been commissioned, while 255 are under construction.
As of September 30, 2026, bagasse-based biomass cogeneration capacity stood at 9,821.32 MW, while non-bagasse capacity reached 1,047.85 MW.
Grid-connected waste-to-energy projects accounted for 324.24 MW, with another 554.16 MW generated through off-grid plants.
The National Bioenergy Programme provides financial assistance for waste-to-energy, biomass and biogas projects. Its first phase covered FY 2021–22 to FY 2025–26 with an outlay of ₹858 crore.
Another major initiative is the GOBARdhan National Circular Bioenergy Scheme, approved on August 6, 2026, with an allocation of ₹23,731 crore for FY 2026–27 to FY 2035–36. The scheme aims to increase domestic compressed biogas production nearly tenfold and promote a circular bioeconomy.
Hydropower gets fresh policy support
Hydropower continues to play an important role in providing dependable electricity and balancing fluctuations in solar and wind generation.
India’s cumulative hydropower capacity, including large and small projects, stood at 57.49 GW as of October 29, 2026.
To accelerate smaller projects, the government approved the Small Hydro Power Development Scheme in March 2026, allocating ₹2,584.60 crore for FY 2026–27 to FY 2030–31.
The scheme aims to add around 1,500 MW of small hydro capacity through projects ranging from 1 MW to 25 MW, with particular attention to hilly and northeastern regions.
Green hydrogen emerges as a future energy option
Green hydrogen is gaining importance as a potential clean fuel for industries and sectors where reducing emissions is particularly challenging.
Launched in 2023, the National Green Hydrogen Mission received an allocation of ₹19,744 crore and aims to establish India as a major producer of green hydrogen, with a production target of five million metric tonnes annually by 2030.
Indian companies have signed green hydrogen offtake commitments totalling 5.5 lakh metric tonnes per annum since 2023, described by the government as the world’s largest such supply commitment. Of these commitments, more than 70 per cent are earmarked for exports.
In 2026, companies signed 18 additional offtake agreements covering over four lakh metric tonnes per annum of green hydrogen equivalent. The sector is expected to attract investments of around ₹90,000 crore.
By February 2026, approximately 8,000 tonnes per annum of green hydrogen production capacity had been commissioned.
The mission is also supporting clean mobility. In July 2026, the government launched 12 pilot projects involving 70 hydrogen-powered vehicles across 21 routes. India’s first indigenous hydrogen fuel cell-powered train also began operations on the Jind–Sonipat section in July.
Geothermal energy offers another avenue
India is exploring geothermal energy as a reliable renewable source that can complement solar and wind power.
The National Policy on Geothermal Energy, notified on September 15, 2025, provides a framework for exploring and developing the country’s geothermal resources.
The Geological Survey of India has estimated India’s geothermal potential at around 10,600 MW, based on exploration of 381 hot springs. Forty-two geothermal manifestations have been identified as promising locations.
The policy encourages technology partnerships, research and development, and knowledge sharing. India has established cooperation mechanisms with Australia, Iceland, Saudi Arabia and the United States in this area.
Five projects were sanctioned during July and August 2025, covering a pilot production plant, resource assessment initiatives and a solar-geothermal hybrid project to evaluate the commercial and technical viability of geothermal applications.
Clean energy transition gains strategic importance
With electricity demand continuing to grow, India is seeking to strengthen energy security while reducing dependence on conventional energy sources. The expansion of renewable capacity, domestic manufacturing, energy storage and newer technologies is central to this effort.
The government’s strategy combines large-scale clean energy projects with household-level initiatives, industrial investment and research into emerging energy solutions. Together, these developments are expected to shape a more sustainable, self-reliant and resilient energy system.